Bacon County Divorce Decree Search
Bacon County divorce decree records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Alma, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official custodian for all family court filings in Bacon County, including divorce petitions, final decrees, and supporting case documents. You can search for a divorce case, request certified copies, or review the public case file by contacting the courthouse directly. Georgia's Open Records Act gives the public access to most divorce decree records without requiring any special justification for the request.
Bacon County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Getting Bacon County Divorce Records
To request a Bacon County divorce decree, contact the Clerk of Superior Court at 502 East 16th Street, Alma, GA 31510. The phone number is (912) 632-4915. The Bacon County website can provide current hours and any updates to the office's services. In-person requests are processed fastest. Staff will look up the case and let you know what documents are available before you pay for copies.
When searching for a divorce record in Bacon County, have both parties' names ready along with the approximate year of the divorce. A case number speeds things up if you have one. Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written letter to the clerk's office with the case details, a note about what you need, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call first to confirm current copy fees so you can include the right amount with your request.
Certified copies are available for legal use. Plain copies cost less and work fine for personal reference.
What Bacon County Divorce Decrees Contain
A divorce decree from Bacon County Superior Court is the judge's final signed order ending the marriage. The decree will state that the marriage is dissolved and include any terms the court ordered. For cases with no dispute, the decree may simply confirm the parties' own agreement. In contested cases, the judge decides the terms, and those decisions are written into the decree.
Most divorce decrees address property division, listing how real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and other assets will be split. If one spouse owes support to the other, that is in the decree too. When minor children are part of the case, the decree sets custody arrangements and a child support order. The full case file at the Bacon County clerk's office also includes the original petition, proof that the other spouse was served, any temporary orders, financial affidavits, and all other documents filed during the case.
Note: A divorce decree is not the same as a divorce certificate. The Georgia Department of Public Health issues short-form certificates that only confirm a divorce happened. The full decree from the county clerk is needed if you want the actual terms.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords maintains a statewide index from 1952 to 1996 and can confirm whether a divorce was registered. For divorces outside that date range or for full decree copies, only the Bacon County clerk can help.
State Records for Bacon County Divorces
The Georgia DPH Vital Records database, shown below, is a statewide resource for confirming divorces registered in Georgia from 1952 to 1996. If you are unsure which county filed a divorce, the state index is a good starting point. The DPH Vital Records page explains how to submit a verification request.
For Bacon County divorce decrees and full case file access, the Clerk of Superior Court at 502 East 16th Street in Alma is the primary source for all divorce records in Bacon County Superior Court.
Bacon County Divorce Decree Fees
The Bacon County Clerk of Superior Court charges copy fees consistent with Georgia standards. Plain copies generally run between $0.50 and $5.00 per page. Certified copies cost more because the clerk adds an official seal and signature. Ask the office for the current fee schedule when you call or visit. Fees can change, and it is better to confirm before your visit or before mailing a payment.
If you only need proof that a divorce occurred, not the full decree, the state Vital Records office is another option. The Georgia Department of Public Health handles divorce verifications for the period from 1952 to 1996. Their office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. You can call them at (404) 657-2700. They do not provide full case files or decree terms, just confirmation of the divorce event.
Divorce Laws That Apply in Bacon County
Every divorce in Bacon County follows the same Georgia statutes that govern the entire state. The most important threshold rule is residency. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before a divorce can be filed. There is no additional local requirement in Bacon County beyond what state law sets.
Georgia has 13 statutory grounds for divorce, all listed in OCGA 19-5-3. Most cases in Bacon County use the no-fault ground: the marriage is "irretrievably broken." This is the simplest and most commonly used ground because neither party has to prove the other did something wrong. Other grounds include adultery, habitual intoxication, desertion, and cruel treatment. The ground chosen can matter in contested cases, particularly when fault might affect a spousal support decision.
After the divorce petition is filed and served in Bacon County, Georgia law requires a minimum 30-day waiting period before a final decree can be signed. This period applies even when both spouses agree on everything. Superior Court authority over divorce actions comes from OCGA 19-5-1. Divorce forms for self-represented parties are available through the Georgia Courts self-help page.
Public Access to Bacon County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act treats divorce decrees as public records. This means any person can request access to a Bacon County divorce case file without needing a specific reason. You do not have to be a party to the case. The clerk will search for the case, tell you what is in the file, and provide copies at the standard fee.
There are limited exceptions. A judge can order that a file or parts of it be sealed if there is a clear legal reason, such as protecting children's safety or shielding sensitive financial information that could enable harm. If a file is sealed, the clerk will confirm the case exists but will not share the sealed contents. Most standard Bacon County divorce cases remain open and accessible to any member of the public who asks.
Note: Online access to Bacon County Superior Court case records may not be available; visiting or calling the clerk's office in Alma is the most direct way to search.
Legal Help for Divorce in Bacon County
If cost is a concern, free and low-cost legal help is available for Bacon County residents. Georgia Legal Services Program covers rural Georgia and can assist with divorce, custody, and related family law matters for people who meet income guidelines. Apply online or by phone to check eligibility.
The Georgia Legal Aid website has self-help tools and plain-language guides for common divorce situations. These are useful if you plan to handle your own case. For more complex matters, the State Bar of Georgia offers a referral service to connect you with a licensed family law attorney. The Georgia Courts website provides additional information about the Superior Court process and contact details for local clerks.